Bolivia
a small land-locked country in South America, bounded by Chile and Peru
to the West, Brazil to the North and East, Argentina and Paraguay to
the South, is named after Independence leader Simon Bolivar. The
plurinational state of Bolivia has a total land area of around 425,000
square miles and a population just below ten million making it a
sparsely populated country at around 23 per square mile. Bolivia is rich
in natural resources but it is still one of the least developed
countries in South America. It per-capita GDP (ppp) stands at around
$4300. 2005 saw a significant shift in Bolivia’s political climate with
the election of Socialism leader Evo Morales and his re-election in a
landslide victory in 2009.

Travel Resources:

Bolivia
consists of the western highlands in the Andes Mountains and the
eastern lowlands with large areas of Amazonian rain-forests and the
Chaco Plain. The dry season that runs from May to October is generally
the time travelers visit. As the salt desert can flood from December to
March it is recommended to bypass that time-frame. Moreover, because of
the altitude Bilivia is recommended for the physically fit. Bolivia has
many attractions for a visitor. La Paz, the world’s highest capital atop
the Andes, is the most popular place to visit with Lake Titicaca,
Copacabana, and Tiahuanaco in its vicinity. Other places of interest are
the Uyuni (salt desert), Santa Cruz, Sucre, and Potasi. Bolivian
cuisine is mostly lightly spiced but the meals are heavy on the pork,
llama meat and potatoes.

The first stamps of Bolivia were a set (Scott #1 to #8) of eight in single color Imperfs showing the Andes Condor released in 1867. Several
varieties and types of these early issues exist. The stamps catalog for
between $5 and $400 with the lower denominations cataloging lower and
progressively getting higher. The most valuable is the 50c blue and the
dark blue variety which catalog for around $400 MNH and $100 used.
Reprints of many of these issues also exist and are more common with
catalog values in the $5 to $25 range. Pen cancellations (fiscal use)
are also common with catalog values in the $1 to $60 range. This was
followed by a few other issues in the Coat of Arms and Arms and the Law
themes. Those issues dominated the scene until 1896. Many of those
stamps are also very valuable with catalog values in the dollar range
for lower denominations to around $150. One exception is the 500c black Coat of Arms Issue (Scott #19)
which is valued at over $2000 for MNH or used (Eleven Star watermark
variety – the Nine Star variety fetch about one-third this amount).
Other significant Bolivian issues from the classic period (till 1940)
include:

A set of eight stamps released in 1897 in the Patriots, Generals, and Coat of Arms theme. The set (Scott #47 to #54)
catalogs for around $60 MNH or used. The patriots and generals of
Bolivia represented are President Tomas Frias, President Jose M.
Linares, Pedro Domingo Murillo, Bernardo Monteagudo, General Jose
Ballivian, General Antonio Jose de Sucre, and Simon Bolivar. These
issues are affordable and catalogs for between a dollar and $6. Genuine
vertical imperf pairs exist for Scott #47 and #51 and they catalog in
the $75 range. The most valuable issue in the set is the mult-colored Coat of Arms stamp (Scott #54) at around $40 MNH and $50 used. Acquiring a genuine one will involve some work as excellent forgeries exist.

A set of six stamps released in 1916 in the Nature and Architecture themes. The set (Scott #111 to #116)
uses a bi-color design in the classic keytypes mold. Monolith of
Tiahuanacu (a statue found in the mysterious prehistoric city of
Tiahuanaco that has an inferred date of 12,000 BC), Mount Huayna Potosi,
Lake Titicaca (largest lake in South America by volume of water located
at the Peruvian border - over 200 cubic miles, over 3000 square miles
surface area), Mount Illimani, and Legislative Building.

A
set of two triangular-shaped stamps released in 1931 to mark the
revolution of June 25, 1930 that resulted in General Carlos Blanco
Galinda's military Junta taking over power. The set (Scott #205 and #206)
is inexpensive at around $3 MNH and a dollar for used. Imperf pairs
exist which fetch a premium ($15 to $20). The issue is significant in
that it marks the beginning of Bolivia's transformation from
laissez-faire policies that ignored the needs of the majority native
population.

A set of nine stamps released in 1938 in the Industries theme. The set (Scott #242 to #250)
catalogs for around $15 MNH and around $4 for used. The design uses
conservative single-colors and the depictions are: native school, oil
wells, modern factories, Torch of Knowledge, map of Sucre-Camiri
Railroad, Allegory of Free Eduction, Alligorical Figure of Learning,
symbols of industry, and modern agriculture. This is another important
issue that marks Bolivia's early attempt at political transformation.

The first stamp of Bolivia after the classic period was the “Flags of 21 American Republics”
to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Pan American Union. The stamp
(Scott #269) is a beautiful multi-colored issue and is remarkably
inexpensive at around $2 MNH and a dollar for used. The issue is
significant in Bolivia has a significant claim to the formation of the
Union - Simon Bolivar conceptualized such an organization aimed at
regional solidarity at the 1826 Congress of Panama as early as 1826
although the formation of it took another 64 years. Other significant
issues since the classic period include:

A set of seven stamps released in October 1942 to mark the first school philatelic exposition held in La Paz
the previous year. The set uses a single color multiple-stamp-on-stamp
design. The stamps depicted are Bolivia's first postage stamp and the
airmail stamp of 1941. The set (Scott #274 to #280) catalogs for around $20 MNH and around $15 used.

A beautiful set of ten stamps issues on April 24, 1970 in the Butterflies theme. The set (Scott #521 to #525 and C302 to C306)
which uses a single-color background and butterflies in original colors
catalogs for around $25 MNH or used. The butterflies depicted are
papilio crassus, catagramma cynosura, eunica eurota flora, and ituna
phenarete in the regular issues and metamorpha dido wernichei,
heliconius felix, morpho casica, pailio yuracares, and heliconius
melitus in the airmail variants.

A beautiful Parrots set of eight stamps released on May 11, 1981. The set (Scott #661 to #668)
catalogs for around $15 MNH and around $5 Used. The parrots depicted
are ara macao (scarlet macaw), ara chloroptera, ara ararauna, ara
rubrogenys, ara auricollis, anodorynchus hyacinthinus, ara militaris,
and ara severa.

Three sets of stamps released in 1997 in the Tourism theme. The sets (Scott #983 to #988, #989 to #994, and #995 to #1000)
together catalog for around $30 MNH and a little less for used. The
designs show Miners' Monument, Folklore Costume, Virgin of Socavon,
Sajama Mountains, Chipaya Child, and Raul Shaw Moreno in the first set
(Tourism in Oruro theme), La Glorieta, Governor's Palace, Dinosaur
Tracks, House of Liberty, Tarabaqueno, and Statue of Juana Azurduy of
Padilla in the second set (Tourism in Chuquisaca), and House of Culture
Dorada, Church of Entre Rios, San Luis Falls, Monument to the Chaco War,
Temple and Statue of the Virgin Mary Chaguay, and Eustaquio Mendez
House in the third set (Tourism in Tarija theme).

Numismatic Profile:

The first coins
were produced by the mint in the Imperial City of Potosi following the
discovery of the world’s richest silver mine in the area in 1574. The
first type was a cob with the Hapsburg arms in Obverse and Cross with
Quartered Castles and Lions in Reverse. The Cob types continued through
the 18th century until milled pillars and bust pieces were introduced
in 1767. Milled coinage with Charles IIII and others in Obverse
continued the time of independence in 1825. Republican coinage era (Sol
or Scudo Coinage) with a new monetary system (8 Soles = 1 Peso, 16
Soles = 1 Scudo) was introduced following independence and that period
continued through 1870 when Reform Coinage denominated in Centavos
appeared.

Common
coins in UNC from the 1950s and prior dates start around $2. 18th
century Carlos IIII silver coins start around $30 in F. Crude Potosi
Cobs start around $50. Cobs with rare assayer marks, early error
varieties etc start around $100. Gold proofs such as the 1979 Republic
of Bolivia 4000 Pesos, UNICEF Year of the Child Proofs, etc go well into
the 100s.

Common
UNCs from the 60s and prior dates start around $1. Z Replacements and
Error Varieties from the 60s and prior dates start around $20. Specimen
issues from the 80s and prior dates start around $50. UNC bundles from
the 60s and prior dates start around $100.

Collectible Memorabilia:

Tarabuco's (near Sucre) traditional fabrics are one of Bolivia's great souvenirs. Other items are minerals, art and antiques.

Bhutan
is a small land-locked country in South Asia sandwiched between India
and China. Bhutan’s landlocked borders were established around the 7th
century and the country has managed to hold its own since then. The
Kingdom of Bhutan has a total land area of just under 15,000 square
miles and a population of around 650,000. Bhutan has a varied climate
with the tropical Southern plains, cool winters and hot summers in the
valley, and extreme winters and cool summers in the northern Himalayan
ranges. It is however considered as one of the most isolated areas of
the world – it took until 1962 for Bhutan to release its first postage
stamps for international use. Even today, Bhutan has just one airport –
the airport in Paro which is considered one of the most challenging
airports in the world due to its location in a steep valley. Bhutan's
economy is based on agriculture, forestry, tourism, hydroelectric power
exports to India, and the sale of postage stamps. More than half the
country’s population is engaged in sustenance farming. Bhutan is using a
balanced approach toward modernization with a focus on Gross National
Happiness. In 1999, it became one of the last countries to introduce
television with the lifting of a ban on television and internet. The
per-capital GDP (ppp) stands at around $5000 with the economy growing at
a very rapid pace in the last few years.

Travel Resources:

For
most visitors, Bhutan is a spiritual journey than anything else.
Tourists experience Bhutan as part of a travel package since the
government regulates tourism. Bhutan can be described as an expensive
getaway at around $200 per person per diem on the average. Drukgyel
Dzong, Rinpung Dzong, Bumthang Dzongkhag, Phobjika Valley are but a few
of its attractions. Bhutanese cuisine is very spicy as chilly is used
extensively. Meat is consumed almost as the rate of vegetables.

Bhutan,
a small land-locked country in South Asia sandwiched between India and
China has a total land area of just under 14,987 square miles and a
population of around 700,000. The
first stamps of Bhutan were a set of seven designs in conservative
tri-colors showing local scenes released in April 1962 for inland use
and reissued in October 1962 for international use. The set (Scott #1 to #7)
designs were Postal Runner, Archer, Yak, Map of Bhutan, and a portrait
of Druk Gyalpo the Dragon King Ugyen Wangchuk and Paro Dzong the
fortress-monastery. The set catalogs for around $5 MNH or used. This was
followed by a few issues in other local themes and certain
international themes. Significant among them are the following issues
from the 1962-66 time period:

A set (Scott #8 and #9)
of two stamps released on October 10, 1962 to mark the World Refugee
Year. The issue is significant in that UN declared 1959-60 as the World
Refugee Year and the issue came two years later. This is because Bhutan
hadn’t started issuing stamps in 1959-60 time frame. The set catalogs
for under $10 MNH or used. 5ch surcharges on these 1nu and 2nu stamp
respectively issued in 1965 are rare and valuable. Each of those (Scott
#68 and #69) catalog for around $35 each for MNH or used.

A set (Scott #15 to #23)
of nine stamps released on April 16, 1964 in the “Bhutanese Dancers”
design. The colorful set is also fairly inexpensive at less than $5 MNH
or used. Surcharges on part of this set were issued in 1965 and they are
more valuable. Each of those (Scott #70, 71, 74, 75) catalog for around $12 MNH or used.

A set (Scott #31 to #33) released on November 22, 1964 in memory of those who served in the service of their country. The design shows “Flags of the world at half-mast”
in gray, silver, and gold backgrounds respectively. The stamps are
valued at around $5 MNH or used. Imperf versions and a souvenir sheet
also exist which are valued somewhat higher. Although the theme is
global, 1964 was an especially tumultuous period in the country’s
history – in April 1964, Jigme Palden Dorji, the prime minister was
assassinated by an army corporal. An assassination attempt on the third
Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King), Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, followed in 1965. The
underlying reasons for the problems are unclear – distrust between the
Wangchuk and Dorji families, opposition to India’s interference in
Bhutan, and power struggle between the Dorji and Yangki (family of Druk
Gyalpo’s Tibetan mistress) families are factors.

A set (Scott #47 to #52)
released on April 25, 1965 to mark New York World’s Fair. The design is
unique as it attempts to show architecture from the rest of the world
alongside Bhutan’s historical monuments. The themes show Bhutan’s
historical monuments in the foreground with a lightly shaded
single-color image in the background. The designs were skyscraper and
pagoda, Pieta by Michelangelo and statue of Khmer Buddha, skyline of
NYC and Bhutanese Village, and Georoge Washington Bridge, NY and foot
bridge, Bhutan. The set catalogs for less than $3 MNH or used. Souvenir
Sheets and Imperf versions which fetch double that also exist.

Starting in 1966, Bhutan started pioneering stamp designs that
were innovative, colorful, and creative. The purpose was to attract the
philatelic industry. This
strategy was a huge success as stamp sales to the philatelic industry
became Bhutan’s chief revenue producer for many years. The first such
issue was a set of nine stamps issued on July 8, 1965 that show a
portrait of King Jigme Wangchuk. The circular designs used lithography
on embossed gold foils. The set (Scott #83, a-h) is valued around $20 MNH or used. Other significant Bhutanese stamp issues since 1966 include:

A set of twelve stamps (Scott #91-91k)
released in the space theme released on October 30, 1967. These stamps
are the first 3-D stamps ever released. The technology used a simulated
3-D effect using a plastic overlay. The designs were Astronaut walking
in space, Orbiter and Lunar Module docked, Lunar Module, and Astronauts.
The set catalogs for around $30 MNH or used. The next ten years saw
many such sets and most of them are valued in the $10 to $30 range. The
most valued among them is the Birds set (Scott #104 to #104g)
of eight stamps released on August 5th 1969. The beautiful set catalogs
for around $50 MNH or used. The designs sho owl, red birds, hawk,
penguin, macaws, bird of paradise, duck, and pheasant.

A long set (Scott #252 to #269)
of twenty six stamps released in 1978 in varied themes that were
surcharges on previous issues from the 1967-76 time period. The set is
valuable at around $120 for MNH or used.

A stamp (Scott #1135) issued on December 17, 1996 celebrating the Penny Black,
the world’s first postage stamp. The stunning design features a
22-karat gold lithographed and embossed Penny Black in a dark-brown
background. The stamp catalogs for around $10 MNH or used.

A beautiful sheet of six stamps (Scott #1324 a-f)
released on June 1, 2000 celebrating Bhutan’s Dzongs. Dzongs are
massive but beautiful structures built starting around the 16th century
under the direction of a high lama without the use of any architectural
plans – instead, spiritual inspiration was the guiding light! The
structures were built for religious or defense purposes. The set is very
inexpensive at around $2 – nevertheless, it is an important issue that
showcases architecture unique to Buddhist kingdoms of the Himalayas.

The first-ever CD-ROM stamp
released in May 2008 to mark the hundredth anniversary of its
hereditary monarchy and the coronation of its fifth King, His Majesty
Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk. The CD features an 8-minute documentary
about the country’s five monarchs along with a web portal. The CD-ROM
stamp catalog for around $10. This release was followed by a few more
CD-ROM stamps. They are also valued around the same range.

Numismatic Profile:

The first coins of
Bhutan were issued in 1780 and were copies of previously used coins of
Cooch Behar using Debs (Half Rupee). The first issues in VF are
affordable at around $25. The era of hammered coinage continued through
four periods until 1927. The undated issues are not especially
valuable trading in the few dollars range. Decimal coinage started with
the introduction of Bronze coins in 1928. The first coins with Crowned
Bust in Obverse and symbols on nine-sections in Reverse catalog in the
$100 range for UNC and a little higher for proofs. Other numismatic
items of Bhutan include:

Common
Ngultrum Banknotes in UNC start around $1. Z Replacements and Bundles
start around $20. Scarce Bundles, First Issue UNCs etc start into the
100s.

Collectible Memorabilia:

Buddhist
art, textiles, and antiques are the sought after items. Items tend to
be on the expensive side. With antiques exercise caution as it is
illegal to take out of the country anything more than hundred years
old.

Silk
woven tapestry’s and small bronze curios start around $30 and the more
exotic ones made of silver are valued well into the 100s. Hand Woven
Pure Silk authentic Kira woman dress (national women’s dress) can fetch
into the 1000s.

Unlocked cellphones are the standard in many parts of the world. In the US, the major service providers use a subscription revenue model that relies on heavily discounting the upfront cost of a cellphone and making it up by tying customers to a long-term contract (2 years or more) that assures a steady stream of monthly revenue. To prevent customers from using the phone with a competitor’s service, they lock such phones. For consumers, there are several disadvantages to this approach including the fact that one has to jump through hoops to use it outside the country. For this reason, unlocked cellphones are a popular choice among a small segment of the population.

Service providers have prepaid options that allow these phones to be used with AT&T, Verizon, and other service provider networks. Unlocked GSM cellphones are a popular choice because they can be used outside the US more easily – use a SIM card from the local provider. These work with GSM providers in the US such as AT&T and T-Mobile. It will not work on CDMA providers such as Verizon, Alltel, and Sprint.

For a best-value comparison, we used the spreadsheet below sorted in ascending order by price:

Excellent Value. Consider quad-band GSM cellphones, if you plan to travel outside the US frequently. The same model sold in Europe and Asia also has dual-band but covers the other two frequencies used there (900/1800) instead of the two (850/1900) used here.

There are plenty of choices in the unlocked GSM phone market. A basic phone that can be used globally can be had for around $50. On the other end of the spectrum is smartphones like the Nokia N900 that pack a large number of features along with touch-screen, apps, and GPS functionality for a premium price. We chose Nokia E63-2 during this holiday season – our requirements were for a smartphone that could be used globally for a reasonable price and this Nokia fit the bill nicely. For consumers who want an unlocked Apple iPhone, buy.com has those but the pricing is steep at about one grand. HTC Nexus One by Google is the newest entrant in the market – it has a nice feature set that should give the high-end products a run for their money in the coming months.